XU Retro XU20 V32 Review: Boring but Functional

The TrimUI Brick came out just around a year ago. Allwinner A133P, 3.2-inch 1024x768p display, and a solid build quality that made it worth its price. The extra colors certainly help as well. Nearly a year later, “XU Retro” comes around swinging with this.

The XU Retro XU20 V32, also running an A133P, also features a 1024x768p display. This time, though, it’s running a custom build of Android, and it’s got a much lighter, much wider frame to it. However, it’s also coming in at a lower cost, starting at just $43 for the version with no SD card. Is that worth it? Well, thanks to XU Retro for sending this over, we can find out.

XU Retro XU20 V32 Specs

As mentioned earlier, the XU20 V32 starts at a low $43 if you’re getting no SD card, though the pricing increases if you choose to get one. This doesn’t include shipping, but if you’re not ordering on AliExpress, you’re likely paying for shipping anyway.

CPU: Allwinner A133P
GPU: PowerVR GE8300
RAM: 2GB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, 2x microSD, 1x USB-C, 1x 3.5mm
Display: 3.2”-inch1024x768
Battery: 3200mAh
Dimensions: 112 x 83 x 24mm
Weight: 157 grams

XU20 V32 (Direct)XU20 V32 (AliExpress)

What I Like

The Controls

All things considered, the controls on the V32 aren’t half bad. Everything on the front of the device is membrane. The face buttons have a heavy initial press followed by a quick bottom out. The D-pad itself has a good amount of pivot, and most of the time didn’t give me any issues with diagonals when playing my usual platformers.

As for the shoulders, they’re a bit clicky, but thanks to the angle that they’re designed with, I found them to be pretty comfortable. Overall, the controls of the V32 get a pass, and compared to its main competition, the TrimUI Brick, it’s going to be the option to get if you prefer membrane over more tactile face buttons.

The Launcher

Similar to the MagicX handhelds, the XU20 V32 utilizes the Dawn Launcher to run its Android frontend. If you didn’t leave the main home page, this would feel less like an Android handheld and more like something running Onion.

However, if you feel like making it more your own, easy access to the Aurora Store allows you to grab any additional apps you may want. Whether that means alternative launchers or just playing Horizon Chase with a D-pad, you can get anything you want with this setup.

The Performance

The A133P is a known quantity, but it’s a good quantity as well. The nice thing about the A133P is its extended performance into the areas of PSP, Dreamcast, and N64. While it’s not going to be perfect, you’re at least going to have a lot more playable experiences compared to most of the RK3326 handhelds in the same price point. Boring, but functional in terms of performance.

For the most part, I spent my time using 4:3 specific systems. Genesis, SNES, and NES are my most-used platforms. Being able to scale all the way to the full resolution of the display makes these games look a lot better. And unlike some people who are truly too deep, I’m not one who will often look to integer scaling. I just want to enjoy my games as-is.

What I Don’t

Design

I really only have two nitpicks for the XU20 V32, and both are more preferential than anything. The first being the design. Following in the heels of their original XU10, the V32 has both the weird ear ridges on top as well as the awkward chin ridges on the bottom.

Neither piece adds any functional or ergonomic benefit to the device. Essentially, they’re there to make it look more edgy, and that’s okay if it’s your thing. But a weird design also brings something else. Odd button placement.

Button Placement

Controls and SD Card slots are almost as spread out as they possibly can be. SD slots are on opposite sides towards the bottom right, where the meat of my hands rest.

The G button and volume buttons are on opposite sides towards the top, usually where my fingers can rest instead. And while that’s mostly fine, the strangest thing is the power button being on the back of the handheld. None of this is a dealbreaker, but man, is it a confusing placement.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the XU20 V32 is a functional device. It does exactly what it claims to. It boots into a proper gaming experience, it has controls that don’t make you upset, and it has completely competent performance for the price point.

At under $50 before shipping, I think I’d recommend this over most RK3326 handhelds. However, if you spend just a few dollars more, you can grab the TrimUI Brick. A better built, higher quality feeling vertical handheld with the same screen. If you don’t like clicky buttons or prefer Android, that wouldn’t be your best option.

So really it’s all preference. What a shock. Pick what you want, be happy with it, and hope you don’t fall into the rabbit hole of owning 90 handhelds. Save yourself, because it’s too late for me.